Of same place



(No Model.)

c. E. MBTZLER.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented-July 15, 1884.

l/ lll WITNESSES:

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N. PETERS. PMiu-Llhognpbef. Wnhillginn. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT CHRISTIAN E. METZLER, OF PHILADELPHIA,PE,NNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ISAAC A. SVVEIGrARD,` OF SAMEPLACE.

Fl RE-ESCAP-E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 302,151, dated July 15,1884.

` i 'Application filed February 6, 1884. (No model.)

1 cation and accompanying drawings, `in

-which- Fig. 2, of a fire-escape embodying my inven-' Figure l is ahorizontal section, in line x m,

tion. ,'Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof in line y y, Fig. l. Fig. 3is a vertical section showing the normal position of the parts of thefire-escape.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalgures.

My invention consists in providing a wini dow with a removable sill, anda4 box located below said sill for containing a ladder, which, in theevent of fire. is available for immediate service, all as will behereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the inner sill of a Window, andB the outer sill thereof. C represents a box secured to the bottom ofthel window-frame or the wa'll of the apartment below the sill A, thelatterbeing the cover of the box. Securely attached to thebottom ofthebox, or the sides thereof, if desired, is a flexible ladder, D, which isformed f of chains or ropes androunds, and is adapted to be packed orfolded in said box.

The operation is as follows: In the event of fire the sill A is removed,thus uncovering the box Gand exposing the ladder D. The ladder is thenthrownout of the window over the front sill, and thus the occupant oroccupants of the room may escape therefrom. In' order to prevent theparties who seek to escape from the room from falling into the box', thesill is returned in position limited by the ladder, as shown in Fig. 2,so that they may step therev over in reaching the ladder.

When vthe ladder is :not in service, itis folded within the box, and thelatter closed by the sill, it being evident that the general appearanceof the bottom of the window-frame is not materially altered, and theladder is always within reach.. It will also be seen that the ladder isalways securely connected with the box, so that no time is lost inseeking a place p of attachment therefor, it only-being necessary intimes of danger to remove the inner sill and throw out the ladder andreapply said sill to the window-frame, so that the -occupant oroccupants ofy the room may readily reach the `ladder, the inner sillproviding ready means of r'eachingthe front sill where the rounds of theladder are accessible, and on which the ladder is rested while suspendedfrom the box.

I am aware that it is not new to employ thespace or box below awindow-,sill as a receptacle for the flexible ladder of 'a fire-escape,

and to make the sill removable in order to provide access to saidladder.` I am also aware that it is not new to connect a fire-escapeladrIhe sides of the window-frameare grooved,

der with the inner sill of a window in'. such manner that the ladder maybe thrown, out of the window and rested on the vouter window- ,sillthereof, the inner sill being afterward `partly closed on the contiguousportion of the ladder, wherefore I disclaim such features.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A window yhaving a horizontally arranged inner window-sill, a boxbelow the same, and a flexible ladder connected with said box, said sillbeing adapted tobe moved into the room so as to uncover the ladder andallow it to be placed in operative position, and then be returnedagainst the ladder closing the box, so that it may be stepped on toreach the ladder, as stated. i

2. A window having a sliding window-sill, a box below the same, andaiiexible ladder,

the side of the frame being horizontally- `the latter is thrown out overthe front sill, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.CHRISTIAN E. METZLER'.

Witnesses: p

J oHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, A. P. GRANT.

IOO

